Freezing temperatures cause propane shortage

AUGUSTA, Mo. - The freezing temperatures have triggered a nightmare scenario for the area's propane industry.

The price of propane is soaring right now and it's hitting farmers especially hard.

Rick Rehmeier one of the owners of Rehmeier Farms in Augusta says he plans on using more than 20,000 gallons of propane this winter because of the freezing temperatures. He says it will cost tens of thousands of dollars.

While the cost is a concern he is not too worried about having enough propane to heat all four of the homes and twelve hog barns on the farm.

"We usually book most of our propane in the fall of the year and our supplier has assured us he'll have plenty of propane for us for the winter," said Rehmeier.

According to the Missouri Farm Bureau, propane prices have doubled in the last few months. On Wednesday, prices went up by $0.70 a gallon.

"I'm hoping for a good hog market to counter the extra cost of the propane," said Rehmeier.